The penultimate show on the European tour, WWE SmackDown airs live from the O2 Arena in London.
The first in a double header as Raw will also take place in the venue on March 31st, the show will see Roman Reigns, CM Punk and Seth Rollins all appear live as they will sign the contract to make their WrestleMania 41 triple threat match official.
Two title matches are also set to take place as LA Knight will put the US Title on the line and The Street Profits will also put their Tag Team Championships on the line.
This will also be the first episode of SmackDown with new ring announcer Mark Nash.
WWE SmackDown Live Results From London
Just 22 days until WrestleMania, Joe Tessitore introduced the show to the fans at home while footage of Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair, Michin, B-Fab, LA Knight, Braun Strowman, and Cody Rhodes were all seen arriving in the arena.
The camera remained on Rhodes, who kicked off the show for the live crowd. Rhodes is in a tracksuit and not a suit [there is new merch available]. Mark Nash introduced Rhodes and he sounds good in what is his first night. A long “Cody, Cody Rhodes” chant broke out. Rhodes referenced his upcoming match with John Cena that was heavily booed. Rhodes was interrupted by Randy Orton. Orton said he wasn’t a sentimental one but put over Rhodes. Orton spoke about Rhodes breaking into the business and how it took balls to leave WWE and make a name for himself elsewhere. Orton also put over Rhodes’ performance in the Hell in a Cell match against Rollins and how he did it for the fans. Orton then referenced finishing the story and how he is now in the middle of another one. There were multiple “Cody, Cody Rhodes” chants throughout.
Getting to the point, Orton brought up WrestleMania. Along with promising to kick Kevin Owens’ head off, Orton also knew that Rhodes would still be the champion and referenced that he would be going after his 15th World Championship soon. However, Orton added that when the times comes he would be a man and let Rhodes know when it was time.
Drew McIntyre interrupted and the fans were very happy to see him. McIntyre called Orton and Rhodes nepo babies and questioned why Orton deserved a title shot. McIntyre stated that he should have been in the main event but instead he will be facing “Temu Undertaker” Damian Priest. McIntyre vowed to be the next World Champion. McIntyre said Orton looked great on the outside but brought up his injuries. McIntyre was nearly hit with an RKO but fled.
McIntyre vs. Orton was made official for later in the night.
Match 1: The Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly for the Tag Team Championships
Pretty Deady were decked out in the Union Jack gear. Pretty Deadly started out the match strong. Kit Wilson was taken out in the break and isolated by The Profits. Elton Prince got the hot tag in the break. At one point it looked like Pretty Deadly nearly got the win as Prince hit a surprise crucifix onto Montez Ford but Ford kicked out. Deadly nearly won the match again with Spilt Milk but Ford made the save. Ford hit the Doomsday Blockbuster to win the match and retain the titles.
Winners: The Street Profits
Match 2: Alba Fyre and Piper Niven vs. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance
The match quickly broke down on the outside with Niven taking the faces out with a senton to the outside. Chance was isolated. Carter was tagged in and made the comeback.The fans broke out in numerous chants. Carter and Chance hit the keg stand but Fyre broke it up. Chelsea Green distracted the referee, Piper Niven hit the Piper Driver to get the win. Zelina Vega made the save after the bell but was beaten down by Green. Vega made a comeback but was attacked by Niven and Fyre.
Winners: The Secret Hervice [Piper Niven and Alba Fyre]
Match 3: LA Knight vs. Braun Strowman for the United States Championship
Lewis Capaldi was in the front row and got a great reception. Strowman started out strong with the power but was taken out of the ring by Knight. Strowman flattened Knight with a boot. Back in the ring and Strowman continued to overpower Knight. Knight began his comeback and finally got Strowman off of his feet. Strowman went for the Strowman Express but Jacob Fatu interfered. Fatu hit a Samoan Drop on Strowman on the announce desk. Knight was also hit by a Fatu Samoan Drop. Fatu hit multiple moonsaults onto Strowman.
Winner: Braun Strowman via DQ.
Backstage a match between The Miz and Jimmy Uso was made official for later in the night. Later, the latest dissention bewteen Fatu and Solo Siko took place. They teased a last man standing match between Strowman and Fatu.
A video aired where Naomi explained her actions and Jade Cargill attack. Cargill warned Nick Aldis that it would be on site when she gets her hands on Naomi.
Match 4: Michin vs. Charlotte Flair
Naomi attacked B-Fab and Michin as they were making their entrance. Jade Cargill tried to attack Naomi but Naomi fled. Flair made her entrance and tried to take advantage of Michin but Michin kicked out. Flair did the Stephanie Vaquer signature move. Michin made a brief comeback. Flair attempted the moonsault but was cut off. A “F*ck you Charlotte” chant broke out, which was censored. Michin hit Eat Defeat but Flair got her foot on the rope. Michin went for a kick but hit the steel steps. Flair applied the Figure 8 and Michin tapped.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Match 5: Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre
The match started with a lock up that McIntyre first got the upper hand over. The match spilled to the outside and McIntyre was slammed onto the announce table twice. McIntyee hit an eye poke to get back on top. A strike exchange took place, Orton hit the DDT and teased the RKO but was distracted by Kevin Owens. McIntyre hit a Claymore to get the win.
Owens looked to continue the assault but Orton countered. Orton teased the punt but Owens ran away.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
A video package aired confirming that Rey Fenix will make his WWE debut next week on SmackDown.
Match 6: The Miz vs. Jimmy Uso
Miz started out the match on top. Uso had a brief flurry of offense on the outside but Miz took control in the break. Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale but Uso countered. Miz hit the it kicks but Uso countered the final kick. Uso hit the superkick and the splash to win the match.
Winner: Jimmy Uso
Drew McIntyre teased going out to celebrate his victory over Randy Orton and met with Lewis Capaldi, but was ambushed in the car park by Damian Priest. Priest hit a chokeslam onto McIntyre onto the windscreen of a car.
The WrestleMania contract signing main evented the show. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis moderated with Roman Reigns out first. Reigns asked the fans to acknowledge him and a “Roman, Roman Reigns” chant broke out. Paul Heyman joined in on the singing. Seth Rollins was out next. Rollins reminded Reigns of their history. Reigns reminded Rollins that they are no longer united and that he was the one responsible for the company’s success. Rollins told Reigns that they had multiple opportunities to end CM Punk but didn’t, meaning that Rollins had to clean the mess up. CM Punk made his entrance. Punk looked through the contract as security surrounded the ring and Reigns hurried him along. Heyman then stated that the 3 way match would main event WrestleMania 41, presumably on night 1. An irate Rollins protested, stating that Punk doesn’t deserve to main event. Punk thanked the fans but Reigns cut him off, asking for a thank you. Punk thanked Reigns and said he would see him in the main event of WrestleMania. Punk said it’s not the favour he was owed and the show cut to black.
Announced for next week:
- B-Fab vs. Naomi
- The debut of Rey Fenix
Featured image: WWE
